Burke needs to prove himself

Did you know the Astros were 21-35 after 56 games in 2005 and 16 games behind the division-leading St. Louis Cardinals? This year they’re 23-33 and 8 1/2 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

The biggest difference this year is that the Astros don’t have the dominant pitching that they had in 2005. They also don’t have a solid defense, and it will likely get worse when Chris Burke plays right field with one of the worst throwing arms of all the right fielders in baseball over the last several years.

The Astros’ front office and manager love Burke, but only a fool would think he’s going to solve their problems. The only reason he should play every day is if the Astros commit to a rebuilding process, which actually might be the right thing to do. But if you really want to win, he would not be your starting second baseman over Craig Biggio. When Biggio doesn’t start at second, Mark Loretta should start there if you really want to win.

Burke could be a decent player in the majors, but don’t fool yourself and expect him to be a savior. He’s no Hunter Pence. Moreover, if Burke were really a Pence-like talent, the Astros would have found a place for him in the lineup years ago.

The Astros made a serious mistake by putting more value in Burke than the much younger Willy Taveras. Phil Garner loved Burke so much that he benched Taveras midway through last season to stick Burke in the lineup. Instead of popping off or whining, Taveras kept working and ultimately set the franchise record for consecutive games with a hit.

If Taveras were still here, the Astros’ outfield defense would be great. Moreover, he’d give the team a legitimate leadoff hitter to get on base and create havoc in front of Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence.

The Astros are desperate, though. Their farm system doesn’t have quality position players, which is why guys like Jason Lane stuck around in the majors so long and why Burke was rewarded for a miserable return to Round Rock with another promotion.

Burke popped off a bit at Round Rock, but he should come back up to the majors and look in the mirror or, better yet, look at the stats. He had one magic moment in the postseason, but let’s not pretend he had a Carlos Beltran-like postseason or a Lance Berkman-type postseason or a Jose Cruz-type postseason.

If any young player in the organization has been on scholarship over the last three years, Burke is it. And if the franchise weren’t so in love with him, they wouldn’t have been foolish enough to have unloaded Taveras. Just imagine an outfield of Carlos Lee in left, Taveras in center and Pence in right field or Lee in left, Pence in center and Taveras in right to take advantage of his superior throwing arm?

The Astros are paying for their mistakes this season, and now it’s time for Burke to shut up and reward his bosses by earning the scholarship he’s been on since the organization realized he didn’t have the range to play shortstop.

• • •

And for all of you asking why the Astros keep pitching to Albert Pujols, I’m as stunned as you guys.

Phil Garner’s an interesting manager. I think it’s cowardly for a manager to tell a pitcher to pitch around a guy. In times like that, a manager needs to lead. He needs to be strong enough to just put four fingers up and order the walk.

Pujols has hit eight — count them — eight game-winning home runs in the regular season and one in the postseason off the Astros. He has hit them off Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls (at least twice), Dan Wheeler and even Roy Oswalt. Last year alone, he had game-winning hits late against Oswalt, Qualls and Lidge. Will they ever learn?

It’s one thing for a manager to be arrogant. It’s another thing to be completely stupid. Yeah, the manager is not responsible, but if it’s all about the players why pay millions to a manager? On Sunday, Garner failed his players, owner and the fans.

Stay with last night’s (Tuesday’s) lineup with the exception of Burke at 2B on the road. I believe this lineup would give the Stros the best chance of making a run in a very weak division and also give enough playing time to properly evaluate Burke and Scott. I believe Scott can be a 75 – 85 rbi man this year and a productive professional over a career, but it is time to see it on the field. He and management deserve a real full-time, not platoon, trial.

Chris Burke has the potential to be an above average 2B. He won’t be an all star and he will never be even close to Biggio’s caliber (one of the 5 best 2B of all time), but he could be above average. He could become a decent doubles hitter who ideally hits #2, but possibly at #1. What’s wrong with that? Right now, we’ve got below average players at C, 1B, 2B, 3B and RF — at least at this point of the season.

I don’t know why they brought Burke up, though. He’s better off playing every day, than getting 150 AB as a platoon player / pinch hitter.

As for Willy T, you Sabermetrics-haters go on all you want about how fast Willy is and how many bases he will steal, but slap singles hitters don’t have .380 OBP for their careers. The exception is Ichiro, but he’s the best there is at it. Juan Pierre is a better comparison and he’s settled in at around .320 OBP. I don’t see how Taveras, with his higher K’s, will be able to improve upon that over his career.

the entire starting 9 need to prove themselves with the exception of the 1st baseman and left fielder.. the batting averages we have on this team for our SS,2nd baseman, catcher, center field and right fielder is terrible for this to be a professional team and organization.. biggio shouldnt start every day.. ausmus should rotate with the younger guy, everett, everett i dont care if he wins a gold glove every year batting .200 doesnt cut it.. and we should have traded ensberg two years ago.. he only hit balls well when they were straight over the plate.. We will continue this dismal season all year.. and i hope we do so the dummys get over this blind faith in magic.. we need talent not luck..

I regret the Taveras deal like so many others, but it’s done and here is where we are.

This is what I feel needs to be done:

1)Play Burke everyday the rest of the season at 2B and have him prove whether he is an everyday major leaguer or not. Make Biggio a utility player and give him regular AB’s so he can get his 3000th. He’s the greatest Astro ever, but I hope Biggio saves Timmy P. or whoever the next GM may be from the pain of releasing him by announcing his retirement.

2)Play Luke Scott everyday in RF and have him prove whether he is an everyday player or not.

3)Play Loretta everday at SS and make Everett a late inning defensive replacement.

4)Waive Ensberg and platoon Lamb and Bruntlett at 3B the rest of the season.

5) Trade Lidge now for good minor league talent before he becomes a gas can again with little trade value.

6) Rebuild the farm system to its former highly-respected level a decade ago (this must be a top priority within the organization).

7) Hire a new GM after ’07 who has the credentials to rebuild our farm system.

8) If the ‘Stros committ to rebuilding, consider bringing in Tony Pena or Art Howe as the new manager since they excel at working with young players.

Everybody busts on TP and rightfully so. But why in the hell does noboby every rip Drayton? This is the man that said that TP and PG are secure. Are you out of your mind Drayton! I guess he can’t see what every other Astro fan can see so plainly.

And as for Burke, you’ve got to be joking. This is a man who could not hit AAA pitching for better than 235 and TP and PG expect him to hit major league pitchers? Astros management is a joke and I’m soooooooooo glad I’m just a casual observer. Bring on FOOTBALL!!!!

“So Chris how was the flight to Colorado? Geezz. Thats some very week defending and biased by the way. Burke has had many chaces to prove himself and I believe (along with the majority of other BB’ers) that we have seen the future and what Burke has to offer. He has been getting by from the miracle HR two years ago. The highlight of his pro career. Fact is most other ballclubs would have cut the cord on him and a few others atleast by last year.”

Weak defending? Really? Please explain. Please tell us about the opportunities where Burke played 2nd full time and hit at the top of the order and failed. How many times had he had that opportunity to prove himself? Zero.

So, you bring up a guy who is groomed for a specific position and as a specific type of hitter and you play him out of position, play him part time, put him in the wrong spot in the order and when he does not succceed you call him a failure and state that he has had every opportunity to prove himself? Hello?

No, the fact is not that other teams would have cut Burke at least last year – especially since he batted .298 with a .376 OBP, and .859 OPS the first half last year before reinjuring his shoulder.

The real fact is that teams would have played him at 2nd base and batted him leadoff as what should be happening here.

The only way Burke can prove himself is to play a lot of games at 2B. He hasn’t been given that opportunity yet. The fact is no one knows yet. This is the year to find out. Let Biggio start most games at home, a game per series, perhaps, even on the road, but otherwise put Burke at 2B and let him play himself in or out. Likewise, make Luke Scott the right fielder, not platooned, for the remainder of the year. Find out if he is or is not the answer there. He shows excellent RBI potential and has improved significantly defensively. Find out about these two guys this year instead of dragging out the process over three years as with Lane. Whichever way it turns out with these two, the decision needs to be made, based upon performance on the field, THIS year.

Just can’t let your comment pass, that Luke Scott has “proven ineffective” in RF. How so? Nothing wrong with Scott’s defense, he’s done a very good job in RF, made excellent plays and a stronger arm in the OF than Burke has ever demonstrated. He has about the best mechanics & swing on the team – just watch him.

Even after fewer starts with Garner’s lefty righty platoon / fetish with Lane, Scott is still 3rd on the team in RBI’s(after Lee & Berkman), he’s tied with Pence in 2B’s (11) and 4th in TOTAL extra base hits. ALSO NOTE: that’s after getting 1/3 LESS AB than Lee, Berkman & Biggio.

“You want a reason to fire Purpura? Yes, he blew the Jon Garland trade, failed to reel-in Tejada, signed strike-out king Preston Wilson, gave away prospects for a half-season of Aubrey Huff, wasted everybody’s time with an aged Richard Hildago, failed to secure Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens, insisted that Pence wasn’t ready for the bigs, gave Jason Lane another chance and he hit .165, and failed to do enough at last year’s trading deadline to give us enough offense to get into the playoffs.

But to give away Taveras and two young pitching prospects for a one-year rental of a hurt-arm Jason Jennings was incredibly dumb. The Taveras trade is reason enough to fire Purpura.”

Ralph

LOL Ralph!! Is that ALL he’s done?!?! Not a quality resume to be sure. And AstroFax, I agree with most of what you are saying, but i think you may be guilty of swinging to far in the other direction. Burke was good at times sure, and it is not a great sample size, but ultimately if the player does not perform it is his fault. Out of position or not, if he would just hit consistently he would never have been demoted. Here’s to him getting back to business. And all you Willy T fans need to calm down. Many moves (as Ralph so astutely outlined above) have contributed to the Astros being a failure. WE ARE NOT GOOD!! Embrace it.

I like the title of this article “Burke needs to prove himself” I think you should do an article like this for each and every player on this sorry team. Each player should be trying to prove himself, or else he is gone. Only Lee, Pence, and Oswalt should be given a pass because they are producing. Everyone else, Berkman included, needs to start proving why they are major league ball players.

I like the blog, but it would be better if you had comments sometimes. I agree that Berkman should be included in the discussion. I think his main problem is Carlos Lee. Berkman was used to being “the big stick”, and his numbers proved it. then, they bring in Lee, with a lot of hoopla, and Berkman feels taken for granted. Nobody wears funny hats in a special cheering section for him, and never did. His problems are in his head. The Astros are big on messing with guys heads. Remember when they still had Taveras? He wasn’t good enough then to be the lead off guy, there were lots of complaints about the holes in his game. Now that he is gone, he looks pretty good ? The trade for Jennings right now is a disaster, but wait to see how it turns out. Fire Pupura, and probably Garner. Too many bone headed moves and decisions. Pretty soon, all those filled seats paid for early in the season will go empty.

Astrofax wrote: When Biggio readches 3000, Burke needs to play 2nd full time and hit in the #1 slot in the order. Give him 1000 AB’s there. His history as a healthy, full time 2nd baseman indicates that he is more than capable. His Pecota ratings also show him as being an above average 2nd baseman.

To judge Burke based on his numbers while playing part time, out of position, and injured is plain ignorant.

What is worse than ignorant is the hatred (lack of a better word) that some of these posters express. As a poster if you have a comment to make, you should do so in an intelligent, supported, and respectful manner. Spewing words like “mediocre” and using stats taken out of context add’s no value to the discussion and only serves to demonstrate the poor character of some of the posters here.

So Chris how was the flight to Colorado? Geezz. Thats some very week defending and biased by the way. Burke has had many chaces to prove himself and I believe (along with the majority of other BB’ers) that we have seen the future and what Burke has to offer. He has been getting by from the miracle HR two years ago. The highlight of his pro career. Fact is most other ballclubs would have cut the cord on him and a few others atleast by last year. (Palmiero, Lane, Ensberg included) I would love it if Burke proved everyone wrong and kicked butt but he has not taken advantage of the opportunities he has been given. Pence did and thats how you do it. You get an opportunity to strut your stuff and you throw it all on the line and MAKE the club acknowledge your efforts. If Burke hadnt been given a way to generous signing bonus and hit the 1 HR he would have been cut already.

On another note – How is it all the Houston baseball community agree’s and see’s that Luke Scott should/needs to play RF everyday and left there, period but Garner cannot see it. Scotts numbers show he will be successful if this happens and has produced this year with his limited role while they continued to trot Lane out there every other game.

I live in the SF bay area and I have been a die-hard fan since 1962 and read as much as possible on the Astros and the word outside of Houston from observers is Garner has really been dropping the ball and many accounts. Go Astros and play some BB – Leave it all on the field, get mad, throw something when things dont go right. Show some passion and heart. Pence has it, Lee has it, Berkman does not. I will coninue to folow them every game but the management decisions make it tough. Good thing my local Direct TV doesnt have rights to MLB package or I would have been robbed of $180 this year.

Before we bury Chris Burke, he deserves one year (2008) as the starting second baseman. Garner and Timmy P.’s bouncing him all over the field likely has detrimentally affected his play at the plate. One year at 2B–if he succeeds, that’s great. If not, he’s gone.

(and a heck of a lot better than when you graded the players and gave Ensberg and Biggio C-pluses. That was hogwash, my friend.)

Luke Scott deserves a chance to play everyday. He should have been named starting rightfielder in the Spring. Instead, Lane was forced on us.

The big truth you voiced here, JJO. “If you wanted to win, Loretta would be playing second base.”… So right-on! Astros mgt. cares more about Biggio hitting 3,000 than winning.

If we had approached the season with put the best men on the field rule: Pence would have been in center out of spring training, Lane would have been in AAA, Ensberg would not be at third and Burke would have been somewhere beside center. And Biggio would have been on the bench.

Put down the Haterade. I can only assume you are out of things to complain about. Burke is NOT the problem with this team. Do you realize that only 4 regulars are hitting better and getting on base more than what Burke was doing when he was sent down (.238 & .344) ? Yes, he could play better, but he is hardly a major factor in the Astros’ plight.

You obviously have some issue with Burke. Your segue was a disconnected excuse to bash on Burke. 2005 Astros … pitching … defense … Burke in right … worse defense.

It sure would be nice to put 8 guys out there who crushed the ball and were gold-glovers at their positions. That would be just peachy. Unfortunately, the Astros DO NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE PLAYER LIKE THAT. Thus, the Everett talk and the Ausmus talk and the Loretta at SS talk …. it’s one reason why I think Phil Garner has the toughest managerial job in baseball. Now, I am not saying Burke is crushing the ball, but Lane and Scott have proven ineffective and thus Burke should be considered in RF. Biggio is on the decline, Loretta is getting time at 3B, so Burke getting time at 2B shouldn’t be an issue.

There’s bigger fish to fry on this team. As for Burke, start judging him when he’s finally had the opportunity to succeed or fail in the position that he was first considered for when he was drafted (SS and/or 2B).

I never was sold on Willy T. as a hitter and I am thankful now that he was traded because he would have been blocking Pence, especially given how Astros management plays faves. I mean, how in the world can you justify bringing up Burke and NOT Bruntlett? And Brunt plays the hell outta the outfield, as I recall, when he gets that opportunity. Burke and Lane and Ensberg are three guys who must be bringing Drayton’s coffee and paper to his house every day or something.

Why does everybody talk about what has gone wrong and focused on Burke, the Taveras trade, etc.? How come Berkman is not included in the negatives? Is everybody loosing site of reality? Ok, granted. Berky will start hitting sooner or later. But his lack of production has to be the main concern. Overseeing the positive? I still think that Jennings will contribute nicely to this team. How about Hunter Pence? How about Carlos Lee? Three deadly guys: Pence, Berkman (as soon as he returns to status quo)and Carlos Lee. Phil might be on the brink of solving the puzzle out. The talent is there. The kinks will be worked out. How come nobody is commenting as to Everett starting to get it together. He is bouncing back nicely. It will be a dog fight which the Astros will win at the end.

I’m interested in your comments about Lee-Taveras-Pence in the outfield. What happened to Luke Scott? Do you actually believe Pence would replace him in right when he was working on being a centerfielder in AAA? So are you implying not only is Burke a bust, but so is Luke Scott?

Burke is a second baseman who has only been allowed the opportunity to play 2nd in a part time role less than 20% of his total MLB playing time.

“Would Colorado have taken Burke instead of Taveras in that trade?”

Sure they would have, but the Astros would have been stupid to trade Biggio’s predecessor.

“Burke is a mediocre player. He has a .256 career batting average and has struck out 160 times in the 276 games he’s played. Burke is no youngster – he’s 27 years old.”

27 is not old, and he just turned 27 in March. Burke has only 700 major league at bat’s and most of which are playing out of position or a part time role. Further, he has not been allowed to hit consistently in the proper spot in the lineup and has had an injured shoulder much of the past year. When Burke did get an opportunity to play full time last year, he batted .298 with a .376 OBP, and .859 OPS the first half last year before reinjuring his shoulder.

“Burke will always be a Triple-A type player. Has no busness to be on the team or any other MLB team. Who wants a player with no arm, no bat, no power and is a .220 hitter.”

Burke already proved himself at AAA, batting .315 with a .396 OBP and .903 OPS in 123 games in ’04 and was putting up similar numbers in ’05 when he was brought up.

“Burke has already proved all that he will prove. He doesn’t have the defensive or offensive skill set to be an everyday major league player.”

No he hasn’t. He has not had the opportunity to play his natural position at 2nd base and hit at the top of the order on a daily basis. Until he has been provided that opportunity, he has not been given the chance to prove what he is capable.

“The preferred Burke over Willie T., and as you said, benched Willie T. to play Burke.”

When Burke played CF last year before reinjuring his shoulder, he hit .295 with a .381 OBP and .881 OPS in 122 AB’s – Way better than Willy T. has ever done. At the time Willy was replaced last year, he had a poor OBP and his average was falling badly. The Astros had a poor start (as usual) and needed to do something to generate runs. It was the right choice at the time until Burke was reinjured.

“Burke is a want to be “Roger Clements. Yes he had one good session that help us get to the big show but, like the song goes “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME(US)LATELY”.”

Burke has not done much lately because A)He was injured and B)He was played out of position both defensively and offensively.

The short of it is this… Burke more than proved himself at all levels in the minors and is the best future option the Astros have for second base. Unfortunately, due to poor management Burke has not been provided the opportunity to play 2nd on a full time basis. This year, when he Burke played out of position, Garner shoved him into the 6th slot in the lineup most of the time – not the proper slot for an OBP hitter such as Burke. And finally, Burke has had a shoulder injury. We don’t even know what the status of that is. He had surgery in the offseasoon, but might it be stiff or have some residual effects?

Burke should not have been called up to play a part time role or to play in the outfield at all. That is not Burke’s strength and he will not excel that way. When Biggio readches 3000, Burke needs to play 2nd full time and hit in the #1 slot in the order. Give him 1000 AB’s there. His history as a healthy, full time 2nd baseman indicates that he is more than capable. His Pecota ratings also show him as being an above average 2nd baseman.

To judge Burke based on his numbers while playing part time, out of position, and injured is plain ignorant.

What is worse than ignorant is the hatred (lack of a better word) that some of these posters express. As a poster if you have a comment to make, you should do so in an intelligent, supported, and respectful manner. Spewing words like “mediocre” and using stats taken out of context add’s no value to the discussion and only serves to demonstrate the poor character of some of the posters here.

Look at this way … if the Astros (or the Rockies) had moved Taveras around from LF to RF to 2B to CF and moved him around in the order from 6th to 7th to 2nd to 3rd to leadoff while constantly expecting him to learn new positions, how well would Taveras have developed? That’s the Burke player development method — an odd way to develop a No. 1 draft choice for a team that’s way short on quality No. 1 draft choices these days.

But everyone knows why Burke hasn’t been tested at his best position (2B) and leadoff as an everyday player. Biggio’s personal stats come first, team development (and wins) second.

There is a chance upcoming for at least a partial, mini-trial of Burke at 2B and leadoff.

He should be put in those roles for all interleague away games in the next month or so, with Biggio continuing his countdown as DH.

See how Burke does. His OBP has got to be better than Biggio’s. And we’ll get improved infield defense to boot.

Will the Astros do that, or move Burke all over everywhere offensively and defensively again?

Based on their history of trying not to acknowledge prior mistakes (Lane, Palmeiro, et al.), I expect they’ll repeat their error with Burke again.

Chris Burke is not the answer. He now has 781 big league at bats and sports a less than inspiring .328 OBP and .387 SLG. And it’s not like he was on fire during his stay in Round Rock during which he posted a .311 OBP and .359 SLG. The best thing that could happen to the Astros would be if Burke somehow manages to go on a hot streak, artificially inflating his trade value. But counting on him to jump start this team or be a cornerstone for the future is a recipe for disappointment based on his track record.

Thank you, Jose. For once someone see the truth about Chris Burke. I am aso tired of everyone complaining about him being sent down and saying how great he is. He hit one big home run and, other than that, he’s nothing special.

He’s hitting .250 in Round Rock with an OBP of .311 – and that’s after going on a tear the last week.

He is not going to be the difference maker for this team in any regard.

What in the world qualifies Willy Taveras as a “legitimate” leadoff hitter? Is the 156 ABs he has this year more representative of his value than the 1100+ ABs in his career prior to this season? In a word, no.

In fact, when leading off an inning this year Taveras has an OBP of .299. For all of Biggio’s problems this year he has Taveras beat in this category. His leadoff OBP is .323.

(Oh, and Albert Pujols is the scariest man on the planet. Just ask my kids.)

aren’t planning to trade Burke to Colorado after the coming series, they need therapy. Garner and Tim cannot “like” someone into talent. If they could Burke would have stayed here and Lane would have been starting in RF.

The preferred Burke over Willie T., and as you said, benched Willie T. to play Burke. If Garner had had his preference, it would be Lane starting in RF.

If you were only as consistently tough on Garner, Purpura, Roger the Rat, Benedict Andy, Biggio, Berkman and Drayton as you are on Burke . . .. Pretty weak JJO. On second thought, very weak. This is why you and your writings don’t have any real credibility.

Any manager foolish enough to have a 41 year old with Bidge’s OBP, BA, et al as the lead-off man is deserving of any and all abuse heaped on him! Unless he has been ordered to do such. Professional sports is about putting the best team a manager can from his pile of “parts.” If you must play him in the crawl to 3k hits (seemingly the only event the brass has to push, witness the Biggio ticket package) he ought to be hitting no higher than 6th. Problem w/ that is of course your looking at 4 straight outs a high percentage of the time. I watched Biggio break in, move to 2nd, move to wherever. He’s more than earned his keep. But this is like watching again another washed-up guy, trying just one more season. Steve Carlton was booted out hollering “I can still get guys out!_ Bob Gibson’s demotion to the pen was “a mistake,” and on and on. HOF’er? You bet, unless this downhill slide doesn’t detract to much.right- Teddy Ballgame knew when to hang ’em in style; bop one outta the joint and never look back.

One really has to cringe at all this. Bidge is hurting the team with his every-day play. I’m sure he won’t agree; he “just needs to get comfortable.” Well, we’re 1/3 way through the season. Something tells me he’s NOT going to get comfortable.

Well, this is tilting at windmills. The “management” (who ever that is in this case) is By Gawd gonna’ play him, and share in the “glory” of the 3k hit. Damn sideshow. Bidge WAS great, among the best ever. As he winds down to a shell of his former greatness, the embarrassment will be become much more noticable. Of course with this sorry collection of “major leaguers,” maybe the sideshow is a desirable distraction. One thing for sure; they aren’t going to sell me any more tickets this year!

Darn right Garner failed us, the fans, and the players who really scraped in Sunday’s loss against the Cardinals, first to come back from a 4-0 deficit and then after they tied it in the 8th at 5-5 on Pence’s bomb.

Eight little fingers, four in the 8th and four in the 10th, and I’d like to think the Astros pull that game out, and head on the road a little bit uplifted.

But no, Garner continues to manage like an idiot. Like other baseball old-time-thinking idiots. Pujols is a bonafide Astros killer. Accept that! Bonds is not! Yet Phil walks Bonds regularly but not Pujols??? Am I missing something?

Check this out. If Eckstein (or was it Spezio?) is on second in the 10th inning, instead of first, does Garner walk Pujols? WITHOUT QUESTION! So what’s the difference if the runner is on first? You walk Pujols and you have runners on first and second in both cases. With two outs.

Duh! Is that so tough to figure out? But a lot of old baseball purists (and Garner, I’m sorry to say, is one of them) will not walk the guy unless first base is open???????? Dumb.

In both cases, in the 8th and 10th, Trevor Miller was throwing in the bullpen with Edmonds on deck. You guessed it. You can look it up. Edmonds has NEVER had a hit off Miller. NEVER! So, instead of a hard-fought win, it’s another shrug, another excuse (“We missed our spot”) and another loss.

So the team heads out on another probable lost trip (OK, that’s negative. Sorry). But I’m not too hopeful against the hot Rockies and the AL Central White Sox. Is anyone else? And let’s not forget the makeup game against the Cubs. Watch that team go a little bit now that Lou’s been kickin’ up some dirt recently.

By the way, why use Wheeler two innings and 30-some pitches? I know, they had Monday off. Whoopee. Wheeler’s the closer — as in one inning almost the whole season! Can’t tell me Lidge wasn’t available. He only threw 11 pitches the night before. Uh, Phil, you’re playing at home. If you stop the opponent in the top half of the inning, you play to win in the bottom half. So why not Lidge in that spot in the 10th? He’s (knock wood) almost lights out again. I know, you’ll say you’ve only got 11 pitchers now and if the extra-inning game drags on, you’ll be hurting. Can’t play that way. Play to win now. Not in the 15th inning. You have Moeller and Borkowski. Those two’ll get you 8-9 innings if needed.

Oh yeah, anybody notice what Yunel Escobar is doing for the Braves now that he’s been called up? I advocated taking a run at this minor league shortstop a few times in these spaces recently and now he’s up and pounding the ball for Atlanta. 4-for-4 tonight with a HR. Two hits in his debut yesterday with an RBI double. This guy would look nice as the Astros shortstop. Oh, you say, he’s playing third for the Braves? OK, he’d look nice as the Astros third baseman.

Thanks for saying what you did about Garner. He is not a strong manager like La Russa. He is okay at best. The thing with Burke is he has always been rated high by the club. When I heard of these two big prospects Burke and Buck in our system, I was excited. Now though, if we had only kept Buck and sent Burke over to KC. Might be a long time getting over that one. But Burke was to take over for Biggio. That was mid 2005, now two years later we still have Burke waiting and now behind Loretta. Sad.

Thank you. It is about time someone in the Chronicle writes straight up that the love affair with Burke has been as much a disaster as the love affair with Lane and Ensberg. To top it off, someone finally writes that Garner is flat out dumb for continuing to pitch to Pujols. Especially this season. And especially in a game in which he had hit a couple of rockets for long, long outs earlier in the game. Unbelievable. Or, it would be unbelievable, had we not seen Garner blow so many games over the past couple of years with ridiculous decisions.

Jose I think I wrote you earlier and called you Richard, sorry. With Dan Wheeler struggling why don’t we put Brad Lidge back into the closer’s role. He is .85 in the last 20 something innings, and he still has his great stuff, he just needs location and confidence, if he has those two things he can throw it by anybody. Don’t you think Brad should be in the closer’s role now? I have all the confidence in him.

If they brought Burke up to platoon in the OF, we are more messed up than I thought. Assuming Bruntlett is NOT being called up (to replace OP, or Q, or…my god, TimPup, wake up!!) I would hope to see Burke playing most of the SS (Everett 33% starts) when Biggio plays 2B. Burke also splits the Biggio sit-downs (more frequent I hope) with Loretta. Loretta will play more 3B with Lamb back to the bench/PH role and Everett and Ensberg will be slotting in for late inning defense (and Mo for RH PH slots).

But that’s logical. So instead of letting Luke become Luke, we’re going to water down his momentum with a platoon with a weak armed guy out of position. When does football start?

Burke has already proved all that he will prove. He doesn’t have the defensive or offensive skill set to be an everyday major league player. Like Lane, he only makes the team because he is a pet. This is Garners greatest failing (and that only means this tops the list), he thinks he is some sort of wizard that can make players out of people like Lane or Burke.

It is obvious that he doesn’t care for Scott! He put the “screws” to Scott from the beginning of ST.

willy taveras is a singles hitter who is absolutely incapable of hitting if other runners are on base. he is also basically incapable of hitting the ball out of the infield and his defense is not as good as even pence.

the best possible arangement is pence in center, luke scott in right EVERY GAME and burke at second base and leading off, where he belongs.

of course we can’t do that because of biggio and his 22 more hits

willy got benched last summer because he was not hitting, was not stealing and chris burke did almost as well fielding and hit a LOT better, especially for power as well as average.

burke is being set up for failure again, as usual. he really deserves to be traded.

As a team they need to have one quality at bat at a time. they are making 4th and 5th rotation pitchers look like 1st and 2nd aces. only Morgan makes the pitcher throw more than 3 or 4 pitches but he has watched strike 3 looking more than I care to remember. I want to know if Hunter and Carlos have encrypted firewalls around them because I can’t explan why their hitting and all around attitudes aren’t infectious to any of the other players on this team……….on another suject, I have said that Adam could hit 200 and I would keep him in the lineup cause there isn’t a pitcher in this league that wouldn’t want him and his glove patroling the middle of the infield ( it was great watching the two best ss in the game when we played the Giants, Omar Vizquel ). Adam makes it look so easy on defence, his range and turning the doubleplay, I wish he would carry that ease to the plate so I don’t have to eat my words….Jose I have to agree with you that it’s time for Burke to put up or shut up, I think Craig needs to do his best pitbull act on this youngin and teach him a few OLD SCHOOL attitudes tricks

I agree Burke needs to prove himself. BUT…the Astros need to prove to Burke, that they WANT him to actually play. All this bringing up…sending down, stuff can really do a number on a guy’s mind. Maybe we should say, it’s time for someone to prove to the fans, that the Astros want to win.

Burke will always be a Triple-A type player. Has no busness to be on the team or any other MLB team. Who wants a player with no arm, no bat, no power and is a .220 hitter. Only reason he is on the team is like you said, GARNER AND PURPURA JUST love THIS GUY. Believe me it just scares me that our furure infield will be Burke/Everett.

Jesus, Thanks for the truthful comments about Burke. “On scholarship” is the correct phrase for his tenure with the Astros. When he has had the chance to play, he has not produced at the plate. My impression of the hype was that hitting was his strong point, but he has not shown it. I guess he was hitting better than Lane, who obviously needed to go down, but there is no comparing their defensive skills in the outfield. Burke needs to produce NOW or be traded.

Hey (Jesus), is Brad Lidge was in the other night do you think Albert hits a homerun? I don’t think so! A .85 Era in the last 20 innings or so!

Which is why he should be put back in the closer’s role. I never thought he should have left even when he was struggling. I was always thought he had the same great stuff, (which he has proven now) he had just lost his confidence. 96 mile an hour fastball with a superb slider, all he needs is location and confidence which both of those he lost in the last couple of years. Richard, don’t you think he should be in the closer’s role instead of Wheeler who has given up six runs in the last two games as closer.

“Yeah, the manager is not responsible, but if it’s all about the players why pay millions to a manager? On Sunday, Garner failed his players, owner and the fans.”

AMEN, brother! I’ll leave you with this. If Ozzie Guillen is on the hot seat, then Gar should be under the microscope in the next few games. I think he (along with Tim Pee) should have been gone by now…

“If any young player in the organization has been on scholarship over the last three years, Burke is it.”

If Burke has been on a scholarship, what do you call Jason Lane? Is he on wellfare? He will be back again. I have never seen anyone get chance after chance after chance. Speaking of wellfare, you can include Ensberg, Ausmus, Palmeiro and to a less degree Everett…Where do I line up to get my check since they are throwing away money?

Burke and Jason Lane were both Purpura favorites — for some unknown reasons.

Burke was given an overgenerous signing bonus out of college. So Purpura has been pulling for Burke to succeed ever since.

Burke is a mediocre player. He has a .256 career batting average and has struck out 160 times in the 276 games he’s played. Burke is no youngster – he’s 27 years old.

We’ve been told a million times that he has great potential and he’s “earned” a chance to play. Burke hasn’t earned anything.

Trading away Willy Taveras – a 25-year-old rapidly improving star – was a major blunder by Tim Purpura. The worst trade in baseball in the last five years, maybe longer.

Willy is hitting .327. He’s on a pace to steal 50 bases –among the league leaders. Willy is super fast – one of the few players to run down and catch fly balls on Tal’s Hill. And he has a better arm than anybody on the Astros.

You want a reason to fire Purpura? Yes, he blew the Jon Garland trade, failed to reel-in Tejada, signed strike-out king Preston Wilson, gave away prospects for a half-season of Aubrey Huff, wasted everybody’s time with an aged Richard Hildago, failed to secure Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens, insisted that Pence wasn’t ready for the bigs, gave Jason Lane another chance and he hit .165, and failed to do enough at last year’s trading deadline to give us enough offense to get into the playoffs.

But to give away Taveras and two young pitching prospects for a one-year rental of a hurt-arm Jason Jennings was incredibly dumb. The Taveras trade is reason enough to fire Purpura.

Purpura can’t judge talent. He gets fleeced in trades. And he shows favoritism to guys like Lane and Burke.

Yes, Taveras was a good talent with the potential to get better, and even as he was, not bad.

Burke is certainly the darling of the team, and management needs to step back and determine if that love and the one homerun in the playoffs isn’t clouding their vision.

I hated to see Willy go, but a “legitimate” lead off hitter he was not. Not enough walks, poor plate discipline, almost no extra base hits and poor base running. There may be a time when he becomes what you claim he is, but that time was not when he was with the Astros, or even this season.

I think Burke should have spent the majority of this season in RR, b/c spot starts and continuing to force him into the outfield only has the possibility of messing him up more.

Burke is nothing more than a role player in the majors. Maybe. Re-calling him and sticking with Lane, Ensberg, and Palmeiro are just one of the many examples of the incompetency of Tim P. Not to mention every trade he’s made. or should i say everytime he’s been fleeced.

Just like Timmy P. SHOULD have done with Burke, Lane, Ensberg, and Palmeiro, Drayton needs to CUT THE CORD with Timmy P. NOW.

Jose – agree with you 100% on Burke and on the decision to pitch to Pujols. You know Burke had nothing to complain about – – he stunk this year. He was offered the opportunity to prove himself and he stunk it up…and then to make things worse after his demotion he mouths off after the guy they replaced him with (a rookie nonetheless) looks like the next Roy Hobbs. Then he stunk up AAA. Someone (Nolan Ryan) should have marched into the clubhouse at Dell Diamond and jerked this little popcorn fart up by his collar and read him the riot act. I understand Jason Lane was no better but shut your mouth

Phil spent to much time diddling his moustache Sunday and became entranced and for some unknown reason forgot to give the free pass to Pujols. Buffoon of a move.

This last note in a nutshell explains the entire problem with this team. The Astros are fixing to have an upcoming promotional give away day very soon – – Brad Ausmus Sufer Bobblehead day. Are you kidding me?? – – this guy hits right handed and plays in Minute Park and is out-homered by ADAM EVERETT by 200% and he gets his own bobblehead day?? What is next ?? Jason Lane Triple Crown T-Shirt Day or Orlando Palmerio Louisville Slugger day?? Mediocrity reigns king at Minute Maid my friends. Pray for Eric Munson.

The competition is playing Chase Utley, Dan Uggla, Kelly Johnson, Brandon Phillips, Orlando Hudson or Rickie Weeks at second. The days of passing off a failed shortstop with a weak bat at second are gone. If Burke can’t provide offense like those guys, Loretta comes close. The team should be looking for the next Utley (the real next Biggio) and stop settling for banjo hitters with winning smiles.

I’ve been reading your blogs for a little over a year, and I have to say that I have never seen you write like this. All that you have said is harsh, but very true and I agree 100% with it.

I think they should have traded Burke in 2005 after he was sent down. (I know that he would not have hit that great playoff homerun if they did.) I go to Round Rock games all the time and I will never for get the attitude that he had when he was sent down. I understand that players have egos and you have to have one to play in the league, but there is a difference between having a ego and being so arrogant that you ignore the fans. I saw a group of little leaguers wanting autographs and he just walked right by them. Didn’t even look at them. They all knew who he was and was so excited to see him.. Ever since then I haven’t really cared for him.

OK, somebody correct me. Biggio is back to his consistancy of hitting great against lefties and embarrassing himself against righties. He will easily hit the 3000 hit mark only starting against left handed pitching and be more rested. Burke could start at 2nd against righties which is more than 1/2 the time and his weak arm wouldn’t be an issue. They would both be a better pinch-hit option off the bench than Palmiero on days they don’t start.

Loretta is better over-all but you are right, the organization loves Burke and is hell bent on finding a role for him even if they don’t give up until Sept of ’08. Loretta can play first when Berkman moves out to right and spell Lamb at 3rd now that the Ensburg decision has finally/mercifully been made. Itz not a perfect plan but atleast they can finally get past the Burke situation once and for all and there is atleast a chance that he may do OK or atleast well enough to be packaged in a trade to bring in another pitcher for ’08 should Jenning’s want too much money.

Surely Garner got a cellphone call Sunday night confirming that that was the very last time Pujols would beat us in our own park late in a game or else . . . . .

Jose after reading R.Justice’s blog today he was touching base on the success Willie is having over in Colorado but is he not in the everyday line up to have only played 41 games this season? His average is looking very good and we all remember his great defensive he plays in center and to put him back there and moving Hunter over to right to solidify that position and having them two at the top of our line up really would look good for some more run production and speed. Any talk from the front office on Willie’s success he is having this season and any chances you see the Astros bringing Willie back to the team?

I thought replacing Burke with Pence was the right thing to do. However, I don’t think we can judge Burke until he has an extended time in the starting lineup at a more familiar position. I say after Biggio gets his 3000th hit, leave Burke at 2nd for the rest of the season, and see what he can do. Let Loretta be a regular between SS and 3rd. Even though Burke did not do well earlier this year, I still think he’s preferable to Biggio at 2nd, and would be more productive at the plate. While we’re on the subject of letting players stay in the lineup, the ‘Stros need to let Scott stay in right the rest of the year, no matter who’s pitching.

Burke is not a center fielder and is not a good part time option or below middle order hitter. If the Astros keep batting him 6th, playing him part time, or playing him in a position other than 2nd, he will not prove himself and will be setup for failure.

Burke should not have been brought up now. He should have been brought up after Biggio reaches 3000 and inserted directly into 2nd base and the top slot in the order. That is where Burke’s strengths are and how he should be played. Burke would perform fine if played that way, but is not felxible enough to be used in other positions.

Sounds like another poor managerial move setting Burke up for failure rather than success.